Rugby World Cup: Player ratings from Wallabies v Uruguay
Three World Cup rookies and a forgotten No.13 star hands Michael Cheika plenty of food for thought as the Wallabies hammered Uruguay. But who was the top performer?
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- Match report: Star is born as sluggish Wallabies down Uruguay
- Wallabies v Uruguay: 5 things we learned
Believe the hype!
Wallaby rookie Jordan Petaia lived up to expectations as the Wallabies trounced Uruguay at the Rugby World Cup.
See who else starred and who struggled in our player ratings:
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WALLABIES PLAYER RATINGS
15. Kurtley Beale: Incisive running and passing in a big occasion for the indigenous star. His pace caused problems for rivals in counter-attack, but needs to kick smarter. 7.5.
14. Dane Haylett-Petty: Such a reliable performer. Never seems to be caught in the wrong position, runs good lines and is found in support when needed. A couple of tries ensures he starts in any playoff match. 8.
13. Tevita Kuridrani: Having sat dormant on the tracks for months, the K-Train steamed into the World Cup with a vintage showing of pace and power. Got two tries, should have had three, remains a Test force. 8.5.
12. Matt Toomua: Flung his frame into the teeth of the Uruguayan defence early in the game before turning playmaker, rallying the troops and tackling strongly. 7.5.
11. Jordan Petaia: Lived up to the hype. A sensational debut by the teenager, who came in off his wing to score a try, beat three tacklers to set up another, was safe under the high ball and showed he will be a star Wallaby for years to come. 8.5.
10. Christian Lealiifano: A far more measured display than in the opener against Fiji, albeit against easier opposition. Lealiifano’s accurate passing freed the attack in the second half and his goal-kicking puts him in the box seat to hold the No.10 jersey for the coming games. 7.
9. Nic White: Some early issues with slow releases caused Australia problems, but found his rhythm eventually. Not the impact he could have had. 6.
8. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto: Tried to be the defensive enforcer, pulled off some shots but was ill disciplined at other times resulting in a sin-bin stint, however a strong second half brings his rating up. 6.5.
7. Michael Hooper: Threatened the defence with his power running and pulled off a smart turnover before his early substitution, continued his consistent excellence. 7.5.
6. Jack Dempsey: A big statement from the NSW backrower, showing brilliant footwork, pace, aggression and winning a turnover to demand selection in the 23 for the next match against Georgia. 8.5.
5. Adam Coleman: Sib-binned for a clumsy high tackle, but bounced back with trademark physicality with some hard tackling and cleanouts. 6.5.
4. Rob Simmons: A tradesman-like showing, worked hard in the tight contests in an 80-minute effort but will struggle to topple the order of Arnold, Rodda and Coleman in a quarter-final. 6.5.
3. Allan Alaalatoa: Another busy performance, this time for 40 minutes after being a surprise starter given his workload. 7.
2. Folau Fainga’a: Handling issues and a stray lineout, but was punchy in attack at times. Usually a huge threat at the back of a rolling maul but Uruguay defended that well. 6.5.
1. James Slipper: Impressive output from the loosehead, scrummaging well, showing teammates how to tackle low, and finally breaking his Test try duck in his 94th international. 7.5.
16: Jordan Uelese: Limited time to show his strengths, hustled hard in defence late in the match as Uruguay pressed for their consolation try. 6.
17. Sekope Kepu: Switched to the less-familiar role of loosehead in place of Slipper late in the match and only had the opportunity to make one run. Scrummaged well. 6.
18. Taniela Tupou: A barnstorming introduction to the World Cup. Powerhouse charges into the defence and a huge scrummaging performance. Must feature in the next match. 8.
19. Rory Arnold: Did not play.
20. David Pocock: Wasn’t as dynamic as he usually is after replacing Hooper early in the second half. A couple of urgent runs out wide and one tackle bust. 6.5.
21. Will Genia: Scored a try upon entering the field, set up a second with a clever grubber, and lifted the pace of Australia’s attack with his urgency. 8.
22. Samu Kerevi: Did not play.
23. Adam Ashley-Cooper: Replaced Petaia, having big shoes to fill, and had some classy touches by making breaks out wide. Showed his pace of old with a blistering sideline break. 7.